Chicago is arguably one of the greatest cities in the world. If you have never been to Chicago, stop reading this and book a trip now. Once you do that, return to read this guide, so you can know how to access this city.
To start, know that the Windy City has two airports — O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in the northwest suburbs and Midway International Airport (MDW) on the city's South Side.
The two airports are approximately 30 miles apart. The majority of international flights are serviced by ORD, with 100 daily flights to 60 cities abroad.
If you are flying into ORD, this guide is for you; here are the fastest ways to get from ORD to the city of Chicago.
The L
Visitors can commute across Chicago via the Chicago Transit Authority's elevated train, called the L, which provides service directly to and from ORD via the Blue Line. However, if you have a lot of checked luggage, note that the trains do not have luggage racks, and some of the stations are only accessible via stairs.
Depart from: Catch the Blue Line directly from Terminal 1, 2 or 3, or via a free airport shuttle train from Terminal 5.
Possible destinations: From ORD, you can take the Blue Line to and through downtown en route to Forest Park or UIC-Halsted, depending on the time of day.
Hours of operation: The L runs 24 hours a day between ORD and Forest Park, with overnight service operating approximately every 15 to 30 minutes.
Transit time: It will take you roughly 40 to 45 minutes to get downtown via the Blue Line.
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Estimated cost: A single-trip Ventra pass from ORD costs $5, is valid for up to three rides within two hours of use and can be purchased at the O'Hare station. You can also buy a three-day pass that includes unlimited rides for $15. Note that you can use contactless payment (contactless bank cards and Google, Apple or Samsung Pay), cash or a credit card to pay for your pass. Reduced rates from O'Hare for students younger than 12 are available for 75 cents during designated student fare hours and $1.25 at all other times.
Taxi
Taxis are available from the airport and can accommodate most groups with sedans and larger-size cabs.
Depart from: There are taxi stands outside of baggage claim on the lower level at each terminal and the inner commercial lane at Terminal 5.
Possible destinations: You can use taxis to reach downtown Chicago and its suburbs.
Hours of operation: Taxis are available 24 hours a day.
Transit time: When using a taxi, expect the trip to take between 25 and 90 minutes, depending on your destination. Trips to downtown neighborhoods, including Streeterville, River North and Gold Coast, take roughly 30 to 40 minutes.
Estimated cost: Cab companies offer a flat rate for rides downtown, which is a straight meter fare plus one-half of the straight metered fare plus a $4 airport departure tax. From ORD to the city, cabs are approximately $40. It's standard practice to tip cab drivers in Chicago, so consider factoring this into your budget, too. Generally speaking, a 20% tip should suffice.
Uber and Lyft
A popular (albeit pricey, depending on the time of day) way to get from O'Hare to central Chicago is via ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
Depart from: Specific Uber and Lyft pickup areas can be found in Terminal 2. They're located on the upper level between doors 2A and 2E.
Waiting areas are color-coded as follows: Black Zone A, Black Zone B, Orange Zone C and Green Zone D. Passengers should proceed to the colored zone serving as their designated pickup location for both Uber and Lyft.
Once booked, your respective app will tell you which pickup area to use to meet your car. Although you can book a ride via a ride-hailing service upon deplaning, your car will not be reserved until you reach the assigned pickup area.
Possible destinations: You can use services like Uber and Lyft to get to downtown Chicago and its suburbs from O'Hare.
Hours of operation: Ubers and Lyfts are available 24 hours a day.
Transit time: Rides will take between 25 and 90 minutes, depending on your chosen destination. Trips to downtown neighborhoods, including Streeterville, River North and Gold Coast, usually require roughly 30 to 40 minutes to reach.
Estimated cost: From ORD to the city, ride-hailing services generally charge between $35 and $60, depending on the destination. Know, though, that surge pricing during busy periods like rush hour can cause prices to climb to $140.
Metra, shuttles and coaches
Various private shuttle and limo services, including Go Airport Shuttle, can also be booked from the airport. This service starts at $75 for trips to downtown Chicago.
Alternatively, Peoria Charter operates a bus from Terminal 2 to the city center twice daily, with tickets costing $50 for roughly an hour ride.
While there is a Metra station for commuter rail services called the O'Hare Transfer stop, most locals do not advise taking it, as the schedule is random and there is no on-site agent should you need help.
Bottom line
Having commuted downtown from O'Hare more times than I can count, I can confirm that each way — the train, cabs and ride-hailing services — can take around the same length of time, and that time will depend on the time of day and traffic, or any service disruptions for the L.
The only real guarantee is that the L will be the cheapest option, but as they say, time is money. Regardless of the traffic you sit in, I promise the ride is worth it.
Related reading:
- Sky-high luxury: A review of the new St. Regis Chicago
- Chicago's Midway Airport to get its first lounge
- What it's like staying at the historic Chicago Athletic Association, part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection
- High-speed rail in Chicago; Amtrak making travel in the Midwest faster and easier
- The 17 best Chicago hotels
- Ferris Bueller's Chicago: Reliving the '80s in a city that never stands still
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
